The STI you’ve never heard of that could affect your fertility

This superbug could cause infertility and premature birth in pregnant women - and barely anyone knows about it.

Experts are concerned that Mycoplasma genitalium (MG), which is spread by sex as well as sexual touching or rubbing, is becoming resistant to antibiotics.

A large study from 2015 found that one in 100 UK adults aged 16 to 44 were infected with MG, with the majority showing no symptoms.

Elsewhere, a more recent study in Australia estimated that up to 2 per cent of Australians carry MG, according to 9 News.

Professor Suzanne Garland, from Melbourne's Royal Women's Hospital, told abc.net.au that people who were infected with the bug often had no symptoms. Some men will have pain when urinating, while some women report pain during sex or when urinating.

She added:

Young, sexually active men and women with different partners are at risk.

She is concerned that treatment with antibiotics may be becoming increasingly limited:

It's essentially acting like a superbug, with research showing at least 50 per cent of people have a drug-resistant MG, limiting their treatment options.

Thankfully, a simple test can now screen people for the stealth STI, though it was reported in June that no test is routinely available on the NHS.

The test, developed by SpeeDx in collaboration with the Melbourne Royal Women's Hospital, will be able to diagnose MG and identify the most suitable treatment.

More: Research finds that teenagers are having less sex than a decade ago